Hello,

The cargo cover of my Cobra trailer got lost during a recent trip (see: https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNxrzUy2COr_647JZkJfAUwmjhwkL2S7Opm0TPP ).

Does anybody have an extra cover from an old trailer I can purchase? I already reached out to Cobra and it doesn't look they sell these as a spare part. Other thoughts on how to fix this?

Thanks,
Thomas (9L)

On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
> https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNxrzUy2COr_647JZkJfAUwmjhwkL2S7Opm0TPP

Thomas, this URL gives an error.

On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:02:03 AM UTC-4, d...@nadler.com wrote:
> On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
> > https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNxrzUy2COr_647JZkJfAUwmjhwkL2S7Opm0TPP
>
> Thomas, this URL gives an error.

Sorry. This should work: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ryAefSmZnNDqNPWE8

On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:12:54 AM UTC-4, thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:02:03 AM UTC-4, d...@nadler.com wrote:
> > On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
> > > https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNxrzUy2COr_647JZkJfAUwmjhwkL2S7Opm0TPP
> >
> > Thomas, this URL gives an error.
> Sorry. This should work: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ryAefSmZnNDqNPWE8

Yikes! You lost the entire front door!
I hope this did not cause an accident on the highway as it well might.

ALWAYS LOCK YOUR FRONT DOOR ON COBRA TRAILER BEFORE DRIVING!!

Spindelberger does sell replacements; I had one delivered for a friend inside the trailer of a glider I imported. Beware they are not always the same size (depends on the model). Best post the trailer size and type plus the size of the opening measured across and diagonal bottom to top... Maybe they lost the door mold in the fire a few years ago.
Also you will need replacement gas struts.

Easiest might be pull a mold of a similar trailer's front door and build a replacement, good fiberglass project ;-) When you do that, also make a mold of the opening as the doors often don't fit properly and best to ensure correct mating surface when fabricating a new door. Replace the rubber seal with the new version prior pulling mating surface mold. Should keep you busy for a few evenings ;-)

Hope that helps!
Best Regards, Dave

On Saturday, 24 July 2021 at 17:48:18 UTC+1, d...@nadler.com wrote:
> On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:12:54 AM UTC-4, thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:02:03 AM UTC-4, d...@nadler.com wrote:
> > > On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
> > > > https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNxrzUy2COr_647JZkJfAUwmjhwkL2S7Opm0TPP
> > >
> > > Thomas, this URL gives an error.
> > Sorry. This should work: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ryAefSmZnNDqNPWE8
> Yikes! You lost the entire front door!
> I hope this did not cause an accident on the highway as it well might.
>
> ALWAYS LOCK YOUR FRONT DOOR ON COBRA TRAILER BEFORE DRIVING!!
>
Indeed.

And if you can't find the key, for instance it's a club trailer, use some tape

> ALWAYS LOCK YOUR FRONT DOOR ON COBRA TRAILER BEFORE DRIVING!!

Alternatively, accomplish a simple mod that prevents the door latch from vibrating to the "Allow door to blow open" position.

This can be done with a piece of adhesive-backed UHMW plastic (best thickness would be ~ 1.5mm). In a piece about 2 x 5 cm, cut (or punch) a hole about 6mm in diameter. Then stick this on the trailer below the door opening, at the place where the door latch seats when closed. Take care that the protrusion on the latch arm slips into the hole at the fully closed position: you want an increase in force as the latch arm contacts the UHMW, then a noticeable "over-center" action as the knob reaches the fully closed position.

Properly applied, this will last for years - but not forever. You'll know it's time to replace it when the over-center feeling becomes noticeably weaker.

I've used this for hundreds of thousands of trouble-free trailer miles.

On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:12:54 AM UTC-4, thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
>> On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:02:03 AM UTC-4, d...@nadler.com wrote:
>>> On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thomas, this URL gives an error.
>> Sorry. This should work:
>
> Yikes! You lost the entire front door!
> I hope this did not cause an accident on the highway as it well might.
>
> ALWAYS LOCK YOUR FRONT DOOR ON COBRA TRAILER BEFORE DRIVING!!
>
> Spindelberger does sell replacements; I had one delivered for a friend inside the trailer of a glider I imported. Beware they are not always the same size (depends on the model). Best post the trailer size and type plus the size of the opening measured across and diagonal bottom to top... Maybe they lost the door mold in the fire a few years ago.
> Also you will need replacement gas struts.
>
> Easiest might be pull a mold of a similar trailer's front door and build a replacement, good fiberglass project ;-) When you do that, also make a mold of the opening as the doors often don't fit properly and best to ensure correct mating surface when fabricating a new door. Replace the rubber seal with the new version prior pulling mating surface mold. Should keep you busy for a few evenings ;-)
>
> Hope that helps!
> Best Regards, Dave
>
Yes, lock it. I've had mine open a few times after driving a while, even though I know I
completely latched it (but not locked it). It's behind a tall motorhome, so it's protected
from the air. No damage so far.

--
Eric Greenwell - USA
- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 3:37:14 PM UTC-4, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Dave Nadler wrote:
> > On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:12:54 AM UTC-4, thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
> >> On Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 11:02:03 AM UTC-4, d...@nadler.com wrote:
> >>> On 7/24/2021 10:48 AM, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> Thomas, this URL gives an error.
> >> Sorry. This should work:
> >
> > Yikes! You lost the entire front door!
> > I hope this did not cause an accident on the highway as it well might.
> >
> > ALWAYS LOCK YOUR FRONT DOOR ON COBRA TRAILER BEFORE DRIVING!!
> >
> > Spindelberger does sell replacements; I had one delivered for a friend inside the trailer of a glider I imported. Beware they are not always the same size (depends on the model). Best post the trailer size and type plus the size of the opening measured across and diagonal bottom to top... Maybe they lost the door mold in the fire a few years ago.
> > Also you will need replacement gas struts.
> >
> > Easiest might be pull a mold of a similar trailer's front door and build a replacement, good fiberglass project ;-) When you do that, also make a mold of the opening as the doors often don't fit properly and best to ensure correct mating surface when fabricating a new door. Replace the rubber seal with the new version prior pulling mating surface mold. Should keep you busy for a few evenings ;-)
> >
> > Hope that helps!
> > Best Regards, Dave
> >
> Yes, lock it. I've had mine open a few times after driving a while, even though I know I
> completely latched it (but not locked it). It's behind a tall motorhome, so it's protected
> from the air. No damage so far.
>
> --
> Eric Greenwell - USA
> - "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation"
> https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

It was latched and locked upon departure. Unfortunately the entire lock system came loose according to the driver who towed the trailer.

On 7/24/2021 2:32 PM, John Good wrote:
> Alternatively, accomplish a simple mod that prevents the door latch from vibrating to the "Allow door to blow open" position.
>
> This can be done with a piece of adhesive-backed UHMW plastic (best thickness would be ~ 1.5mm). In a piece about 2 x 5 cm, cut (or punch) a hole about 6mm in diameter. Then stick this on the trailer below the door opening, at the place where the door latch seats when closed. Take care that the protrusion on the latch arm slips into the hole at the fully closed position: you want an increase in force as the latch arm contacts the UHMW, then a noticeable "over-center" action as the knob reaches the fully closed position.
>
> Properly applied, this will last for years - but not forever. You'll know it's time to replace it when the over-center feeling becomes noticeably weaker.
How about a proper aerodynamic solution?
Sounds like a good thesis topic.

No help on a replacement lid but what I did to forestall this happening to me was to install a "plan B" secondary latch I found at West Marine. Easy to use and inexpensive.

Install image here: http://aviation.derosaweb.net/ASW27/images/Cobratrailerlatch.jpg

Buy it here: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/southco-marine--flexible-t-handle-latch-black-front-mount--15112527